Float switch cutoff means



Nov. 25, 1969 W. J. GREUTMAN FLOAT SWITCH CUTOFF MEANS Filed Aug. 22,1968 as /a2 /&

I N V EN TOR. Will/4M JG/QEWMwV United States Patent 3,480,749 FLOATSWITCH CUTQFF MEANS William J. Greutman, Miller, Nebr. 68858 Filed Aug.22, 1968, Ser. No. 754,602 Int. Cl. H01h 35/18 US. Cl. 200-84 4 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to an improvedfloat switch cutoff valve means and more patricularly relates to a floatswitch cutoff means for providing liquid control to a tank controlled bythe liquid level and in which the switch operates to cutoff the flow onrises of the water level and to turn on the flow when the liquid levelfalls.

An object of the present invention is to provide a float switch cutoffmeans consisting of a float, linkages and switches in which adjustmentis provided for arms which contact either side of the toggle switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a float switch cutoffmeans consisting of a float, linkages and switches with adjustment meansfor securing the device upon a pipe.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent upon full consideration of the following detailed descriptionand accompanying drawing in which the figure shows a cross-sectionalview in broken-away fashion of the essential components forming theautomatic shut-off switch of the present invention, and embodies thebest mode thereof.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a stock water tank whichmay be filled with water 12, and which has a bulbous encircling lip 14which extends around the upper periphery of the tank 10. To one portionof the lip 14, there is shown a mounting clamp 16 formed of two paralleldisposed parts comprising a vertical mounting base 20 and a bracketmember 22. Disposed between the base 20 and the bracket member 22 arerecessed mating members 24, 26 which are held in place by being fittedabout the lip 14 and secured thereto by the clamping bolt 28 which has anut 30 adjustably secured thereto. For the purpose of adjusting thevertical orientation of the mounting base 20', there is further provideda bolt 34 having its head 36 urged against the base, and in which a nut38 is on the inner urging surface of the bracket member 22. The nut 38is turned to orient, as desired, the vretical relationship of the base20 and the bracket member 22, as is well known in the art.

From the opposite side of the base 20, there is disposed at the lowerportion thereof a hinged or pivotal connecting bracket 40 from which ispivotally mounted an arm 42 which may move in the direction of thearrows 44 depending upon the rising or lowering of the surface of thewater 12. This is because there is disposed at the free end of the arm42 a threadedly engaged float 48 which is floated upon the surface ofthe Water 12.

On the upper or intermediate portions of the base 20, there is mountedby bolts 50, 50 an ON-OFF switch 52 3,480,749 Patented Nov. 25, 1969having a toggle actuator 54 which moves up or down to switch theelectrical current thereof to its ON or OFF condition. Current isapplied to the switch 52 by conductors 58 in a well-known manner.

Disposed above and below the ON-OFF switch 52 is a set of upper andlower guides 60, 62 having outwardly disposed mating opening 64, 66 forreceiving a generally vertically disposed guide member 68 in matingrelation to the holes 64, 66. The lower end or terminus of the guidemember 68 is pivotally connected to a linkage 70 that connects pivotallyto the intermediate portion of arm 42.

Between the upper and lower guides 60, 62 and selectively disposed alongthe guide member 68, there are provided stops 74, 76 which co-act with apair of mutually facing curved members 84, 86 which are adjustablymounted by screws 94, 96 along said vertical guide member 68. The curvedportions are of general convex configuration and are resilient in naturefor contacting the toggle actuator 54 on the up or down stroke of theguide member 68, and are disposed to actuate the actuators 54 from theON to the OFF position, or conversely.

A cover 100 may be disposed about the ONOFF switch 52 and the cutoffapparatus therein, as is shown in the figure. The cover is secured inplace by spacers and bolts assembly 102, 102 and the bottom portionthereof may be open for free movement of the rod guide member 68 and theconductors 58 passing therefrom.

What is claimed is:

1. A float switch cutoff apparatus comprising a stock water tank havinga bulbous lip extending around the upper periphery thereof, a verticalmounting base eX- tending above said peripheral lip, a clamp meanslocking onto the peripheral lip and supporting said mounting base, anONOFF switch having a toggle actuator for moving up and down, an armmounted pivotally from said mounting base having a float secured to saidfree end of the arm, upper and lower guides mounted from said mountingbase, a guide member received within said guides being verticallydisposed therein, a linkage connecting the lower terminus thereof to anintermediate portion of the pivotal arm, and a pair of mutually facingcurved members adjustably mounted on said vertical guide member forcontacting said toggle actuator on the up and down strokes,respectively.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the curved members arethreadedly adjustable on said vertical guide.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the clamp means lockingonto the peripheral lip may be adjustable for disposing changes oforientation to the vertical position of the mounting base.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein stop members are disposedbetween said upper and lower guides on said guide member selectively forlimiting the upper and lower displacement of said guide member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,791,964

HERMAN O. JONES, Primary Examiner

